Facebook Protest Hits The Streets

Residents are moving their concerns about the County Council's road lights switch-off - from a social networking page - onto the streets of Corby tonight.

1700 people joined a Facebook group "Corby Street Lights" after Northamptonshire County Council decided to switch off half the county's street lights to help the Authority meet budget savings.

Group organiser Melanie Yule told heart "We have been overwhelmed by the response on facebook alone. We have visited and taken photographs of some of teh areas that are in complete darkness. I'm urging people who feel as strongly as we do about literally being kept in the dark, not to sit on their opinions and join us later".

While some lights have been merely switched off, some lights have been physicaly removed, with little or no chance they'll ever be replaced.

Peter Kennedy from the group says: "The impact for the longer term needs to be considered. What happens in the winter? Will there be a rise in accidents, crime and compensation claims which negates the savings made?

Mr Kennedy concedes that crime rates have dramaticaly fallen in the town, but asks if "the elderly and vunerable should be able to continue to feel safe going out after dark."

Today (Friday 20th), two marches will head to The Corby Cube to attend a rally held by Corby Borough Council.

Two marches will being at 1800hrs, one departing from the Hazelwood Community Centre on Gainsborough Road and the other leaving from the Green across to the Rockingham Arms on Studfall Avenue.

The group are hoping to gater 2000 signatures to be able to force a debate in the CountyCouncil.

Northants County Council have told heart "the NCC are only switching lights off, where it's appropriate."